Coming from a rich background in both education and athletics, Dea brings over 30 years of teaching experience to Dwight School Hanoi. She has taught in a wide range of settings, from preschool to university, across the United States, China, and Vietnam.
Early in her career, she taught preschool while her own daughters attended the school, an experience that deepened her appreciation for patience, play, and the power of a good nap. She has also taught and coached middle school students, embracing their wonderfully unpredictable energy, and guided DP English A learners who were often just as curious about college life as they were about the IB exam. At the university level, she has taught English while reminding students to look after the basics: drink water, move your body, rest, and remember to smile.
Sport, Skates, and Competition
Sport has always been a defining part of Dea’s life. Growing up in Alaska and spending every possible moment on the ice, even during recess, before and after class. She later passed that love of skating on to her daughters and still keeps a pair of skates close by, always knowing where the nearest rink is. In high school, she won state championships in softball, track, and basketball, and went on to participate in and coach at high levels, including NCAA Division I Cross Country and Track and Field. She also worked at the NCAA National Office and helped run a college athletics conference (ECAC) as Associate Commissioner.
Finding Her Way Back to the Classroom
At the heart of it all, Dea has always loved reading, teaching, and helping others grow. Inspired by her mother, a special needs educator, she understood the essence of school. She spent time in schools from a young age and started her undergraduate studies in education before shifting into English and then college athletics. Eventually, she found her way back to teaching, where her experiences in language, sport, and leadership all come together. The classroom is where she feels most at home, supporting students as whole people, not just academically, but as whole human beings, helping them find their footing and confidence in the world.
A Champion of the Dwight Approach
A former Qibao Dwight teacher, Dea is deeply committed to Dwight’s three pillars: community, personalized learning, and global vision. She brings an energetic, encouraging presence to every interaction, celebrating achievements, championing from the sidelines, and helping students and colleagues believe in what they can become. She has a gift for making people feel seen, supported, and genuinely capable.
What Guides Her Work
Skating taught Dea how to balance, literally and figuratively. That same joy in motion guides her work as an educator and lifelong learner. What began as a spark on the ice continues to fuel her passion for teaching, inspiring her to help every student move steadily and confidently toward what’s possible.
